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Farms are a big part of the New Zealand way of life, according to Tourism New Zealand. The country exports more than $6.6 billion in dairy products such as milk and cheese, $4.3 billion in lamb and beef, and nearly $1 billion in kiwifruit. Wool, wine, timber and mussels are other popular exports from New Zealand farms. To truly understand how the locals live, visit one of their productive countryside farms.

When To Go

The South Island's weather varies from 14 in the winter to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. On the other hand, the subtropical North Island has mellow weather year-round, with lots of light seasonal showers. Frommer's recommends taking farm tours February through April, when the weather is hot and the foliage is changing colors. Avoid travel from mid-December and late January, when most Kiwi families take their main annual holiday. South Pacific springtime runs from September to November, which is a wonderful time to see farm flowers in full bloom.

Types of Farm Tours

Take walking tours, learn about farming practices, watch working sheep dogs and try spinning wool at Walter Peak High Country Farm. View the remnants of The Lord of the Ring's Hobbit Village near Matamata. Enjoy wine tours throughout the shire. Explore farms by horseback or four-wheel drive before your cottage spa treatment. Bring the kids to feed animals, ride ponies, walk through a maze and discover a hidden cave near Auckland. Gather shellfish, observe seals and soak in a candlelit bath under the stars by the Pacific Ocean.

Considerations

Accommodations are available with some New Zealand farm tours. For instance, the Oskat Farmstay offers space in a five- bedroom, two-bathroom farmhouse with TV, Playstation, stereo, pool table, telescope and sundeck access. Cooked meals are arranged at additional cost. The more upscale Paua Bay Farmstay offers a private guest room with queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom and private verandah entrance. Soak in candlelit baths on a private beach under the stars. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in your stay.

Why You Should Do It

Backpackers save money by finding work-accommodation deals where they receive free room and board, access to activities and all meals in exchange for a few hours of sheep herding, cow feeding and horse bathing. Other travelers get an opportunity to interact with genuine locals, have their questions answered and see what New Zealand farm life is like. Farm tours are a convenient way to see the countryside's beautiful wildflowers, rolling green pastures and nighttime stars.

Who To Call

The New Zealand Tourism Guide lists a number of places for you to book tours or farm stays. It particularly recommends the Beaumont High Country Experience, which offers a number of all-inclusive farm experience packages. Stay at the Beaumont cottage. Enjoy wholesome meal platters, continental breakfasts, picnic lunches and Kiwi barbecues. Ride horses, muster sheep, take jetboat rides and drive four-wheelers through the Southland, Otautau region.

Resources

About the Author

Jennn Fusion has been working as a professional writer for more than eight years. Her work has appeared online at USAToday.com, Chron.com, Business.com, Donklephant.com, BlogTO.com, Crawdaddy.com, MobileLifeToday.com and VicePresidents.com. She also has a variety of copy published on small business blogs and websites. Jennn holds a Bachelor of Journalism and English.